NameCensus.

UK surname

Iglesias

Spanish topographic surname indicating someone who lived near a church or derived from the Spanish word for "churches."

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Iglesias surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 239, ranked #17,322, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Brent and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Iglesias is 240 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11850.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

239

2016, ranked #17,322

Peak year

2013

240 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Iglesias had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 239 in 2016, ranked #17,322.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Iglesias surname distribution map

The map shows where the Iglesias surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Iglesias surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Iglesias over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 4 #34,098
1901 historical 3 #34,063
1911 historical 6 #33,255
1997 modern 145 #21,571
1998 modern 166 #20,329
1999 modern 159 #21,030
2000 modern 170 #20,120
2001 modern 167 #20,060
2002 modern 177 #19,759
2003 modern 172 #19,893
2004 modern 186 #19,059
2005 modern 182 #19,259
2006 modern 176 #19,787
2007 modern 192 #18,975
2008 modern 191 #19,195
2009 modern 191 #19,592
2010 modern 207 #19,007
2011 modern 207 #18,841
2012 modern 235 #17,242
2013 modern 240 #17,251
2014 modern 235 #17,619
2015 modern 239 #17,322
2016 modern 239 #17,322

Geography

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Where Iglesias' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kensington and Chelsea, Brent and Barnet. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kensington and Chelsea 005 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Brent 022 Brent
3 Kensington and Chelsea 006 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Kensington and Chelsea 019 Kensington and Chelsea
5 Barnet 017 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Iglesias

These lists show first names that appear often with the Iglesias surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Iglesias

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Iglesias, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Iglesias surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Iglesias household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Iglesias is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Iglesias is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Iglesias falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Iglesias is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Iglesias, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Iglesias

The surname Iglesias is of Spanish origin and derives from the word "iglesia," which means "church" in Spanish. This surname likely originated during the medieval period in Spain, and it was initially used to identify individuals who lived near a church or were associated with a particular church or religious institution.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Iglesias can be traced back to the 13th and 14th centuries in various regions of Spain, including Castile, Aragon, and Catalonia. Some of the earliest known bearers of this surname were individuals who held positions within the church, such as priests or clergymen.

One notable early bearer of the surname Iglesias was Juan de Iglesias, a Spanish theologian and philosopher who lived in the 15th century. He was a prominent figure in the intellectual circles of his time and authored several works on theology and philosophy.

In the 16th century, the surname Iglesias was also found in various historical records and documents, such as land registries and census records. For instance, in the town of Aldea del Obispo, located in the province of Salamanca, there are records of families with the surname Iglesias dating back to the mid-16th century.

During the colonial era, many Spaniards with the surname Iglesias migrated to the Americas, particularly to regions that were under Spanish rule. This led to the spread and establishment of the surname in countries like Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.

One notable individual with the surname Iglesias was José María Iglesias, a Mexican politician and writer who lived in the 19th century (1823-1891). He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Justice during the presidency of Benito Juárez.

Another prominent figure with this surname was Enrique Iglesias, a Spanish-born Uruguayan writer and political figure who lived from 1886 to 1968. He was a prominent figure in the Uruguayan literary scene and served as the President of Uruguay from 1959 to 1963.

In more recent history, the surname Iglesias has been associated with several notable individuals, including the Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias (born in 1975), who is the son of the famous Spanish singer Julio Iglesias (born in 1943).

Additionally, Pablo Iglesias Posse (1850-1925) was a Spanish politician and lawyer who founded the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and played a significant role in the development of the socialist movement in Spain.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Iglesias families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Iglesias surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Cheshire leads with 2 Iglesias' recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.95x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 2 46.95x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birkenhead in Cheshire leads with 2 Iglesias' recorded in 1881 and an index of 588.24x.

Place Total Index
Birkenhead 2 588.24x

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Iglesias households.

Occupation Count
2nd Dispensero 1
Panadero 1

FAQ

Iglesias surname: questions and answers

How common was the Iglesias surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Iglesias surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Iglesias surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 239 in 2016. That gives Iglesias a modern rank of #17,322.

What does the Iglesias surname mean?

Spanish topographic surname indicating someone who lived near a church or derived from the Spanish word for "churches."

What does the Iglesias map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Iglesias bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.